Dues Schedule
Each candidate or accredited institution shall pay annual dues based on enrollment (*Full-Time Equivalent-FTE or **Average on Board-AOB) according to the following schedule.
| *FTE / **AOB | Annual Dues 2023 |
|---|---|
| ***From 10 to 137 | $3,650 |
| 138 – 276 | $3,990 |
| 277 – 415 | $4,300 |
| 416 – 553 | $4,630 |
| 554 – 692 | $5,130 |
| 693 – 1,039 | $5,640 |
| 1,040 – 1,386 | $6,160 |
| 1,387 – 2,079 | $6,920 |
| 2,080 – 2,773 | $7,550 |
| 2,774 – 4,160 | $8,460 |
| 4,161 – 6,934 | $9,610 |
| 6,935 – 13,869 | $10,890 |
| More Than 13,869 | $12,160 |
* – One FTE is equal to 900 student contact clock hours, 45 quarter credit hours, or 30 semester credit hours.
**-In some cases, Federal institutions may use an ‘Average on Board’ (AOB) measure in place of FTEs for computing annual dues.
*** – Institutions with less than 10 FTE are not eligible for candidate status with the Council on Occupational Education (see Eligibility Requirements).
Non-Main Campus Dues
In addition to the annual dues based on total enrollment (FTE) for all campuses, all candidate and accredited institutions shall pay annual dues for each non-main campus site as follows:
| Non-Main Campus Sites | Annual Dues 2023 |
|---|---|
| Branch Campus | $1,750 |
| Branch Campus (Federal) | $750 |
| Instructional Service Center | $1,250 |
| Extension Campus | $1,000 |
(Exemption: For institutions in candidate or accredited status with the Commission on June 30, 1985, branch campuses in operation on that date are exempt from payment of non-main campus dues.)
Annual Payment
Annual dues invoices are distributed to all institutions via email in the spring of each year and are due no later than July 1st. Annual dues are based on FTE reported in the most recent COE Annual Report.
Refund Policy
No refund of annual dues is made to a candidate or accredited institution.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) is a unit of measurement used by the Commission to define the amount of scheduled instruction that equates to one full-time student during one academic year. The Commission defines an FTE as 900 contact (clock) hours, 45 quarter credit hours, or 30 semester credit hours of scheduled instruction. The clock or credit hours used to calculate an institution’s FTE must reflect coursework in which a student has enrolled and matriculated. The FTE does not include hours or credits transferred from other institutions or awarded as CLEP courses. (See the Policies and Rules of the Commission for a discussion of the rationale for this definition.)
Cost of Institutional Evaluations
Institutions must reimburse the Council for all costs of institutional team visits (i.e., team visits for candidacy, initial accreditation, reaffirmation of accreditation, focused review, and substantive changes). Reimbursable items include the cost of transportation, lodging, and meals for visiting team members and staff members and/or Commission representatives. Specific procedures regarding deposits, reimbursement, and travel regulations are presented in the Policies and Rules of the Commission.
Fees
Fees shall be assessed according to the schedule below. All fees shall be non-refundable. Other fees apply to substantive changes.
| FEES | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application for Candidate for Accreditation | $3,000 |
| Warning Status | $500 |
| Probation Status | $750 |
| Show Cause Status | $1,000 |
| Focused Review Visit | $750 |
| Notice of Intent to Appeal | $5,000 |
| Initial Accreditation | $1,000 |
| Renewal of Accreditation | $1,000 |
| Substantive Change Team Visit Deposit | $3,000 |
| Non-Public Institution Candidate Team Visit Deposit | $3,000 |
| Non-Public Institution Accreditation Team Visit Deposit | $5,000 |
| Third-Party Reviews (see Policies and Rules for audit reviews) | $1,500 |
| Deposit for ANNOUNCED Focused Review Site Visit | $3,000 |
Penalties
| PENALTIES | Amount |
|---|---|
| Failure to pay dues, fees, penalties, or any other charges by the due date | 10% of Original Invoice Amount |
| Failure to pay dues, fees, penalties, or any other charges within 30 days after the due date | Additional 20% of Original Invoice Amount |
| Failure to provide annual report or other report by due date | $2,000 |
| Failure to attend a workshop required by policy or action of the Commission within the specified time period | $2,000 |
| Failure to disclose a substantive change to the Commission | $1,500 |
| Failure to host a substantive change site visit within 180 days | $1,500 |
| Failure to provide a complete Application, Report, or Response $250 |
Deposits
The Council requires deposits for certain substantive changes, accreditation team visits, and appeal board hearings. Unused funds on deposit for those activities will be applied toward any outstanding debt an institution owes the Council.